Almost every second traveler dreams of visiting France, but few people know that a visit to the country of the Eiffel Tower and croissants carries a number of nuances. We will tell you about them below.
Safety
Whatever they say, the crime rate in France as a whole is relatively low. But the number of petty thefts (including of personal property) is unfortunately not encouraging. So the following tips are sure to be useful to any tourist:
- Don't leave personal belongings unattended for long periods of time or ask strangers/significant others to look after them;
- You should be especially vigilant in crowded places: train and subway stations, museums and airports, as well as in transportation. This last point is especially true of the RER suburban trains (line B);
- Don't leave things in the front seat of a car, as break-ins are not uncommon (by the way, it's worth taking care to lock the doors as well);
- We also advise against visiting the outskirts of major cities (e.g. in Paris it's districts 17-20, suburbs of Clichy and Saint-Denis) because of the high activity of local criminal groups;
Tourist Memo.
While in France, keep in mind a few simple rules to help you have the most enjoyable and comfortable vacation possible:
- Foreign tourists should always carry identification in case of police checks
- French drivers are not known for their neatness on the road, so you should cross the road only on a green light and be very careful;
- If before traveling you bother to learn a few simple words and phrases in French, you are guaranteed to get the favor of the locals;
- The French don't tend to talk loudly in the street or in public places, so take this into account
- If you see that someone needs help, you should definitely stop and give it. Failure to help someone in distress is a crime in France and carries a fine or even criminal penalties;
- For example, if you see someone in need of help, you should stop and give it.
- In France, when paying a bill in a hotel or restaurant, a percentage of the service charge is usually already included in the price. Nevertheless, it is considered good to leave a tip to the staff (change or rounding up the bill);
- Allow the staff to leave a tip.
- No shopping in Paris on the Champs-Élysées: prices here are sky-high, and the street itself has long been firmly occupied by typical tourist stores. Instead, it's better to stroll through the old 19th century covered passages (e.g. Galerie Vivienne), where you can find a lot of unique and intricate items at quite reasonable prices;
- If your plans include a visit to the capital's museums, it is better to give preference to less popular "fellow" Louvre and
d' Orsay, for example, the Orangerie Museum or Marmottan. Their collections are no less diverse and interesting, and the lack of crowds of tourists and the constant crush will be just by the way; - In France there is a ban on smoking in public places. These include cafes, bars and restaurants, clubs and discos, as well as airports, hospitals and other public institutions. But you can smoke at bus stops, on the outdoor terraces of drinking establishments, on station platforms and outdoor stands of stadiums;
- Smoking is allowed in public places.
- Banks are open Monday through Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:30-17:00. On the eve of weekends and holidays banks close early (usually at noon), sometimes they do not work and the whole day after the holiday.
- Banks are closed early (usually at noon).
Paris.
It's worth mentioning Paris separately, because it's often the impression of its capital that makes a tourist's opinion of any country. So, what should you know about Paris?
Disneyland.
Above all, perhaps the main entertainment attraction in the French capital is the famous Disneyland. The festive atmosphere and sea of rides attract crowds of tourists, and it's not uncommon to wait in grueling lines to buy a ticket. To avoid this, we advise you to book tickets in advance online. This way you'll save not only time but also money - for example, if you book before June 28, 2016, you'll get a 20% discount, and children under 7 can visit the park for free.
Tip: Try to plan your visit to avoid Disneyland during school vacations, when the influx of visitors increases dramatically. In France, schoolchildren vacation five times a year: a week in late October, two weeks at Christmas, two weeks in February and spring, and in the summer (July and August).
Gastronomic Tricks.
France's capital can certainly be considered the capital of haute cuisine, a gourmet's paradise. However, if you don't plan to pay a hefty sum for a casual lunch or want to explore French cuisine from the inside, consider a few simple tips:
- Check out the bistros
Many big-name chefs are opening simpler establishments, but the quality of their dishes doesn't suffer at all and the prices will please the tourist's wallet. For example, for lunch you can visit Le Comptoir du Relais in the sixth arrondissement (it is better to arrive by 11:45 to have a seat), or in Café Constant in the seventh. Prices can range from €15 to €50 per order.
- Taste traditional pasta
No, we're not talking about Italian pasta, but the much-loved pastry, which, incidentally, has French roots. In Paris, there are pastry shops that have been making traditional macarons for decades (if not centuries!) - for example, at the pastry shopLaduréee, Pierre Hermé or Gérard Mulot.
- Eat like a local
Parisians have their own gastronomic habits (or rather traditions) that you should definitely adopt. The traditional Parisian breakfast consists of coffee, croissants and orange juice with toast and jam. But you can replace them with a baguette or a couple of fresh buns from the local boulangerie.
For lunch, try the croque monsieur - a baked cheese and ham sandwich - or the croque madame (the same thing, only with a glaze on top). These hot sandwiches are usually served with salad. For a main course, try the famous French onion soup, bouillabaisse fish soup served with croutons and chili garlic mayonnaise, ratatouille or julienne.
Shopping.
Shopping in Paris is definitely every (well, or almost every) fashionista's dream. That's why our tips are sure to come in handy.
- Sales in Paris take place twice a year: after Christmas (January-February) and in early summer (June-July).
- Most stores are open from 09:00 to 19:00 without a break from Monday to Saturday (but note that small stores may be closed from 12:00 to 14:00 and on Monday).
- Big stores are open from 09:00 to 19:00 without a break from Monday to Saturday.
- Big department stores are open until 21:00-22:00 one day a week (usually Thursday).
When is the best time to go to France
When planning to visit France, keep in mind that July and August are traditional vacation months. Because of this, the coast and the capital are crowded with local vacationers and tourists, so there may be some problems, such as booking tickets or finding accommodation. So if your vacation falls during this time, it's best to look at the provincial areas of France, as the crowds will be much less and you'll have more time and opportunity to take your time and explore the local beauty.
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Have a great trip!"
